Re-usable pallet bin



Dec. l2, 1950 DE MOINE H. FRYE 2,534,011

REUSABLE PALLET Bm Filed July 25, 1946 Patented Dec. l2, 1950 OFFICE RE-USABLE PALLET BIN De Moine H. Frye, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Leslie T; Swallow Application July 25, 1946, Serial No. 686,220

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates broadly to reusable shipping and storage bins of berboard or the like.

Suitable cartons or containers are conventionally used to ship small articles and if the latter are highly finished or fragile, they usually are wrapped individually or separated from each other by suitable dividers.

Manifestly, each container should be rugged in construction to withstand handling and jostling during shipment and in order that it may be used repeatedly in successive shipments. Furthermore, it is desirable that the containers be light in weight, since the shipper must pay freight charges on them as well as on the articles.

In general, it has been found that containers of berboard, cardboard or the like are best adapted for the shipment of small articles since they are relatively light in weight; however. these cartons have several disadvantages all of which tend to limit their use by the trade. For example, it is diicult to make containers of this type suiliciently strong so that they stand up under the abuse of handling and shipping. In general, iberboard containers must be relatively small in order to give them sufficient strength; consequently, a large number of cartons is required for each carload shipment. This requires excessive handling and entails high labor costs. Moreover, this inadequacy is cumulative since the cartons are handled repeatedly-rst at the shippers, then during loading of the carrier, again during unloading of the carrier, and nally at the consignees. In addition, the cartons tend to disintegrate if they become wet. At the present time, cardboard cartons are used only once and then discarded as scrap. This practice is wasteful and to some extent diminishes the economy which otherwise would derive from their use.

An important object of the invention is to provide a fiberboard carton or container that is small enough to assure ample strength but is uniquely formed so that a plurality of them can be stacked together and handled as a unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin of the above mentioned character in which the various containers or sections interlock in such manner that they are held securely assembled.

Still another object of the invention is toprovide a shipping and storage bin that can be made to any desired size merely by adding or removing a selected number of sections.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin in which the sections can be easily and expeditiously assembled or disassembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide. a shipping and storage bin oi the above mentioned chacracter in which the empty and disassembled sections can be readily folded or collapsed into compact bundles for return shipment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin in which the base section is supported in such manner that it cannot easily become wet even though placed on a damp surface or in a damp location.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin that will facilitate and expedite packing and unpacking of articles to be shipped.

Another object of the Vpresent invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin of the above mentioned character that is strong and durable in use, light in weight, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing forming a part of this specication and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shipping and storage bin having a base container section and two superposed or nested container sections disposed thereon;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a shipping and storage bin having one less section than the bin shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cover comprising a part of the bin and illustrating the manner in which the rim of the cover is folded or collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a container section and illustrating the manner in which the sides of the section are folded or collapsed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

As suggested, `the shipping and storage bin embodying the instant invention is made up of several sections stacked together in interlocking relations and each forming a separate storage compartment in the bin.

Fig. 2 shows a relatively simply assembly which comprises a base container section I0 3 having supporting legs I2, and a single container section I4 which is adapted to be supported by and to interlock with the base section.v Both container sections I and I4 preferably are provided with dividers I6 and the upper section I4 is adapted to be closed by a cover I8. Both of the bin sections and their adjuncts are made of flberboard. In this connection, it should be noted that the term ilberboardwis here employed to designate any conventional, relatively stiff and foldable fibrous sheet material such as cardboard, corrugated cardboard, pasteboard or the like.

The base section I0, which 'is made from a single sheet of berboard, has a substantially square bottom and integrally attached upstanding sides 22. Opposed sides 22 are formed with integral end tabs 24 which underlap the adjacent sides and are fastened securely thereto in any suitable manner, as by stitching or by metal clips 28.

All four sides 22 normally stand erect as shown in Fig. 2 to provide an open-topped carton or container for articles to be stored or shipped.

As suggested, however, itisrlesirable to make the sections collapsible so that they can be shipped back empty in a neat, compact bundle. According to the present invention, this is accomplished by providing opposed sides 22 with .fold lines 28. It will be observed that fold lines 28 are provided at opposite ends of the two sides 22 and that each fold line extends angularly upwardly at an angle of substantially 45 from the lower corner to the upper edge of its respective side. Fold lines 28 are formed so that the angular end portions 30 defined thereby fold back against the middle portions of sides 22 when the latter are4 folded inwardly against the bottom 20. Simultaneously, the other two sides 22 fold down flatly against the bottom 28 substantially as shown for the upper container section I4 in Fig. 4. y

The legs I2 preferably comprise short tubular pieces of flberboard or the like and, manifestly, all should be of the same length so that each rests on the supporting surface and contributes to the support of the bin. Any desired number of legs may be provided and they can be arranged in any manner that will best support the bin. In the box here shown by way of illustration, four legs are provided at the corners of the bottom 20, an additional leg is provided substantially midway between each pair of corner legs and a single leg is provided substantially at the center of the bottom. Since both the base section I il and legs I2 are made of fiberboard, the latter can be glued to the sbottom 28 or other- .wise fastened thereto in any desired manner.

The upper section I4 also is formed from a single piece of fiberboard and has a substantially square bottom 32 adapted to rest on and coincide with the sides of base section I0. At the edges of bottom 32 are sides 34, vand each side is connected to its respectivel edge by an integral U-shaped fold 36. The two sides of folds 36 are held together in any suitable manner as by stitching or by suitable metal clips 38, but the various folds are unattached or separate from each other, asbest shown in Fig. 5. One pair of opposed sides 34 is formed with end tabs 48, which tabs are folded inwardly behind the opposite or adjacent pair of walls and fastened thereto by metal clips 42 or the like.

One pair of opposed sides 34 also is provided with fold lines 44 which correspond to and func- 4 tion in the same manner as fold lines 28 in base section I8. Thus. when the two sides 34 containing fold lines 44 are folded inwardly, as

shown in Fig. 4, the corner portions 48 fold back against the middle portions thereof and the other two sides 34 fold down flatly thereagainst. Thus, all four sides 34 can be collapsed against the bottom 32; and, when the sides are thus positioned, the various folds 36 extend outwardly in the same plane as the bottom. 0n the other The dividers I8 are identical and each comprises a plurality of right-angularly disposed, interfltting panels 58. These panels seat edgewise on the bottoms of the sections and preferably extend substantially flush with the sides.

Although dividers I6 are not needed to hold the sides of sections III and I4 expanded, the partitions 50 do abut opposed walls and assist in maintaining the same upright on the bottoms of the sections. Also, it will be-observed that the dividers partition sections III and I4 into a plurality of small compartments each of which compartments is adapted to receive one or a limitedv number of articles to be shipped or stored. It will be readily apparent that the number of panels used in the dividers will vary accordingto the size of its section and the nature of the articles yto be placed therein. If desired, the dividers can be omitted altogether.

The cover I8 also is made from ilberboard and comprises a substantially square portion 52 having an integrally attached depending flange or rim portion 54 at each edge thereof. One pair of opposed flanges 54 has inturned end flaps which are fastened to the other pair of flanges by metal clips 88 or the like. Also, one pair of opposed flanges 54 has fold lines 58 which denne y triangular end portions 88 and are arranged and function in the same manner as fold lines 28 and 44. By reason of fold lines 58 the flanges 54 can be folded flatly against the portion 52, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3.

In practice, it is contemplated that every bin have a base section I l and that any desired number of the sections I4 be stacked together and assembled thereon. For example, Fig. 2 shows a bin assembly comprising one base section I0 and one section I4, while Fig. 1 shows a bin assembly having a base section I8 and two sections I4. Manifestly, three or more sections I4 could be included in the assembly if desired. When the sections are assembled in this manner, flaps 38 interlock 60 with the subjacent section regardless of whether it is a base section I8 or another section I4. Thus, all of the sections automatically interlock regardless of the number of sections I4 in the assembly. After the sections have been loaded and assembled. cover I8 is placed on the topmost section and the entire assembly bound together by straps 32, as shown in Fig. l. These straps may be either of webbing, metal, or any other suitable material, and may be fastened in any desired manner as by conventional crimp fasteners 84.

All of the sections used in the bin are relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture; moreover, they are exceedingly light in weight, to maintain shipping costs at a minimum. The various seceach other.

tions are easily assembled or disassembled and after the articles are removed by the consignee the sections can be readily collapsed and tied into compact bundles for return shipment.

Important advantages are achieved by making the various sections separate and separable from For example, each section can be used repeatedly until it becomes torn or otherwise unlit for use and then replaced by a new section. Thus,V it is not necessary to discard the entire bin if only part of it is damaged as in the case of conventional shipping cartons. It is contemplated that the consignar maintain a reserve stockof sections so that they can* be easily and quickly'replaced whenever necessary. Moreover,

since sections I4 are identical and interchangeable in the assembly, itis not necessary to'maintain the parts of one bin separate from the parts of another when they arc returned knocked down to the shipper.

Also, making the bm in separate sections faiin tates packing and unpacking of the Same and eliminates much handling of heavy containers.4

For example, the separate sections can be packed separately and then assembled directly in the freight car if desired. However, it will be observed that the legs I2 are spaced to accommodate the fork of a conventional lift truck so that the bin can be handled easily in this manner even after all of the sections are assembled. Moreover.' when articles are shipped in the bin from a parts manufacturer to an assembly plant consignee, the bins can be moved to the assembly line directly upon delivery, covers I8 removed, and the sections unpacked successively as the parts are needed. As each/v section is emptied it can be folded and stored away for return shipment.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention` or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. As a subcombinatioma collapsible shipping and storage carton fabricated from a single piece or folasble nberboard sheet material, said .mates rial having a central portion forming a bottom and portions at the edges of said central portion forming sides, each of said sides Joined to its respective edge of the bottom by a fold o1' the material, said folds extending below the bottom and separate from each other, said sides extending above the bottom and adjacent sides being fastened together.

2. As a subcombination, a collapsible shipping and storage carton fabricated from a single Piece of sheet material, said material having a central portion forming a bottom and portions at the edges of said central portion forming sides. @djacent sides being fastened to each other and each of said sides joined to a respective edge of the 'bottom by a fold of said material. said folds adapted to extend below the bottom and separato from each other, certainoi said sides having fold lines extending angularly from the bottom oorners to the upper edges thereof, and deiining tri` angular portions which fold inwardly and back against said certain sides whereby to permit all of said sides to be folded inwardly flatly against i said ottom.

DE MOINE n. lr'mni.

aErnaENcEs crran T he following references are of record in the le of'this patent: f

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

